11 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

You've been on dive trips before...some had group leaders and some did not. Some had people in the capacity but they were worthless or didn't seem to add any value.

1. So do you like group leaders? Or do you avoid trips with group leaders?
2. Do they add any value? Why or Why not?
3. Under what circumstances does a group leader add value or help your diving experience?
4. And when you do have one or think there should be one...what DO you expect a group leader to do? What VALUE should they add? And does it vary depending on the dive group? The price of the trip? The length of the trip or the type of trip? Or does it vary based upon whether you paid the leader to run the trip or to just tag along?

5. We'd love your input and in particular ALSO include what you think a group leader on SD trips should do both without being asked and of course after being asked.

[shadragon]

The group leader is the Land Divemaster (LD)

Oooooo... Do I sense another PADI qualification coming?

I actually like Platy's analogy. A local resource to be used when needed.

[timalso]

The group leader is the Land Divemaster (LD)

Oooooo... Do I sense another PADI qualification coming?

I actually like Platy's analogy. A local resource to be used when needed.

[scubaski]

I like PPM " The group leader is the Land Divemaster (LD); they step in where needed, stay out of the way when not, and give a good briefing when it's time for one."

The group leader should also negotiate better deals for the group. 1 group leader got extra afternoon dives lowered $20/ dive. We had basically a 10 dive package, group leader able to reduce any extra dives (inc nite) down to $40/dive, more than 1/2 our group went out every afternoon.

[Jerrymxz]

That is well put. The Land Divemaster. A trip coordinator has to be someone who is even tempered, multitask-able, with the ability to look ahead and intercept problems before they get out of hand. They also need to be adaptable to ever changing situations and able to mediate issues as they arise. All these traits and the wisdom to know when to let well enough alone. Yep! Sounds like a good divemaster to me.

[WreckWench]

I guess that is why most trip leaders are DM's or Instructors? So they will be good Land DM's as well right?

[shadragon]

I guess that is why most trip leaders are DM's or Instructors? So they will be good Land DM's as well right?

Having thought about this overnight, one way to make the Land DM's job easier would be copious amounts of cave line strung to all the points of interest from the hotel. Bottles of water "staged" at regular intervals on the line could assist in rest stops on the way back.

[scubaski]

I don't agree that a "Trip Leader" needs to be a dive "Profesional" (DM-Instructor). They may have some of the same traits.

[ev780]

I pretty much agree with the above. Except.....

Once on the boat then the trip leader should become just one of the divers. They get just one vote like everyone else and they should let the dive boat crew do what the dive boat crew does. The crew knows where the best sites are and how weather conditions affect each potential site. They know their operation and how to best handle the guests.

Don’t over plan. Just let things flow. Every minute does not need to be filled.

I was on a trip once that the "landmaster" had to control everything. Insisted on dive sites on certain days even though the crew said that was not a favorable day for that site. Also, started fiddling around with gear and equipment and generally driving us nuts!! Got really offended when small groups formed and went to different restaurants or activities than what was planned. It finally got to a mutiny and the “landmaster” got put in their place.

My 2 cents.


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